I'm 56 and have had it since I was 43.

I went to see my neurologist for yearly checkup today. He said I have to get the weight off and my cholesterol down. He said I have to have 30 min. of exercise or 30 min. of walking daily. Today I went for a 32 min. walk.

I didn't know I went through menopause, because I get so hot easily all the time, that it bypassed me up while feeling hot!

We had a new record high of 84 for April 3! The forecast was to be a high of 80 yesterday and the normal avg. high for 4/3 is 60.

Hi everyone! How are you all doing? I really want to know. I've had to be away from the forums for a while because of medical and life events. I'm ok almost back to normal, whatever the difinition may be; I guess that depends upon many factors, so I'll stop writing about this now. :-)

I like the pic of the wagon and the pulling with a manual wheelchair. This would be beyond my abilities. I could do this with my power wheelchair provided I didn't get stuck in my yard. :-)

I appreciate the information from everyone about the tools and cooling equipment. Cooling vests are wonderful for managing heat. I hope to get one in the near future. There are also vests with tubing which with a pump delivers cuirculated water through the vest. I don't remember what the name for these vest is at the moment and may not remember, so I wouls suggest doing a search and perhaps you will find the exact vest which is right for you.

My service dog is almost three now. She was a stray who I found out about because she was being cared for by some poeple I know. Bella has helped me with many things such as fetching things, opening and closing doors and drawers, getting the laundry out of the washer (work in progress), allowing me to gently lean on her when necessary, and taking off my shoes and socks (work in progress).

I hope to have a raised garden some day so any ideas or suggestions are appreciated.

I have a laundry list of medical issues, so if you're interested in this list let me know.

Most of my gardening is inside because it is the best way for me to enjoy this activity. I very much enjoy my house plants of which I believe I have about 100 or close to that amount. For me there is no such thing as too many house plants. Whenever a house plant needs a home, I do what ever I possibly can to give a home to the plant(s). All are welcome and I do research so that I have the knowledge to care for them properly.

My home is in MD near Annapolis, so if anyone is near this area, you are welcome to visit, let me know and we'll get together.

Along with my plants and service dog I also have a blue headed pionus parrot and a congo affiricn grey parot, and two cats.

One tool I use which is handy for mixing soil and other ingredients is a cat littler box because it is large enough so the contents do not spill (at least for me), and it is shallow so that even on a table or cart I can have easy access to the litter box. Also, when filling small to medium pots, I can usually put the pot into the litter box and fill the pot without spilling the soil mixture onto the floor.

When watering my plants which are in small pots and which should not have their leaves or any part of the plant wet, I use a syringe and carefully squirt the water into the pot around the underside of the plant turning the pot so that as much surface area as possibly gets wet. I do not use the needle, just the plastic syringe. Large syringes are good as funnels and to do more intensive watering when a watering can isn't best for the job.

Most of the time when I ned to move plants from place to place I will place the pot on the foot rest of my power wheelchair and roll them to their destination. If the pot is very large, I will very carefully use my power wheel chair to push the pot.

Oh! If you are taking care of orchids, a syringe is good for dribbling moisture into the top layer of the pot which dries quicker and also for dribbling water into the ariel roots or a cotton swab with water will moisten the roots which are accessible at the top of the pot. I also sometimes use a cotton swab to gently clean the orchid leaves of debries. It is goot to remove the clear plastic pot from the heavier container to make certain that the orchid is not sitting in water. Orchids do not like their roots swimming. Damp is good swimming is a death sentence.

Sometimes I use a plate, scoop, or similar object to move soil. sometimes a handful does the trick.

Plant lights are great for me because they shed light on what I'm trying to see. I also use a hand held cctv camera to magnify things. Without this camera, I would not be able to see a lot of what may be affecting plants.

I think I've covered most of what I do to care for my house plants, so will go for now. Safe travels and many blessings to everyone. Happy gardening!

Dog pack, I use an owner trained service dog. If there are any issues or tasks you need help with, I have great connections. Seriously. I have shown and trained dogs for 40 years. Tree mail me if I can help.

Josie went with me to visit a daylily hybridizers garden today. She helped me with moving forward, balance, counter balance, momentum pull, and picked up several things I have dropped.

She is fun in the garden. She will lay in the shade until I ask for her help. She will hand me a trowel, a hose, a garden glove.

Amazing what a difference a service dog can make. My dog will be 4 soon. I am already dreading the Day something happens to her.

I would put her up against any professionally trained dog, Any day.


Glad to have you back.

Dogpack - I love your user name!
Do tell more about your dog, birds, and cats!

Good idea using the litter box as a catch pan when potting up seedlings and stuff. I usually make a mess even when trying to be neat and soil is too expensive to be wasted.

Like the syringe thing, too. A big turkey baster might work as well for delicate watering. For someone like me with carpal tunnel syndrome in both hands, the bulb would be easier to hold and manipulate.

What critter said!

Humm, I didn't think of a baster, I'll have to add this to my plant care tools, thanks!

I havn't taught my cats to drive yet, however they sometimes are good at driving people crazy. Ripley and Orchid were rescues who happen to be part jungle and domestic felines. They have different months and maybe years of birth however when I got them, they were both three years old. I got Ripley in August of 2000 and Orchid in November of 2000.

Holly my CAG is 16 years old and Bonnie my BHP is about the same aGE. bONNIE WAS A GIFT AND i RESCUED hOLLY BECAUSE THEY PERSON WHO HAD Was unable to care for her any longer.

Bella my service dog an APBT was found roaming the streets by some people I know and when I told them I was looking for a service dog they told me about Bella. When I got her she was according to the vet about twelve months old. When we wnet to my vet they agreed with the ageso I figured she was born about september, and picked the 27th for her B-Day. She will be three this September.

I had to postpone further training during the summer because of medical issues, life issues, and time limitations. We will be back to serious education soon.

Bella is able to help me on a limited bases with a lot of tasdks some of which need a bit more fine tuning.

Speaking of program trained dogs, most likely Bella wouldn't be accepted for assistance dog work because she is a bit skiddish and fearful and because of her tendency to be more focused on critters than necessary. She has a strong prey drive which I am usually able to correct and keep under control but perhaps other people would have great difficulty. She listens, is devoted, loves working (having something to do), and enjoys learning and being with me.

I know what you mean about the life span of our devoted helpers. Unfortunately they do not live as long as we do, boo.

Where did you get a program trained dog? I decided after applying to about a dozen programs and getting no for an answer, that with my background in training and dog psychology I'd train my own dogs. This way I always have a custom trained dog who doesn't have to shift loyaltys several times before they get to have their permanent person for life.

My fingers and wrists are beginning to hurt and get tired so I'll stop typing for now.

Pitchers, pitchers! We are all about critter photos.

dogpack My dog is owner trained. I might need to go with a program dog when this dog needs to retire, as I won't be as ambulatory then. I, too, have a lot of dog training experience. APBT can make fine service dogs but if you travel a lot, they might not be as good as another breed, due to breed specific legislation.

I took my dog to a friends yesterday to play with her 3 month old APBT puppy that she just got from a rescue.

If you have the time, and the knowledge, training a service dog is not that hard. Problem is, the majority of dogs don't make it to public access... but can be fine "in home skilled companions." Josie does really well in public. She loves to chase my own outdoor cats, but if she is in work mode, with harness on, she ignores other animals. She is very professional when working. It is like a light switch to turn her on and off. Vest goes on - she is serious and working. Vest comes off -- silly dog comes out.

Im not in a wheelchair, but locked in this thread 100's of years ago[at least it feels like it]- and have had 1 or 2 chats..IM on the lily threads here[as i grow and breed liliums and really love what i do] and the pets [cats n birds] on Cubits as i really love my animals[the few that are left]..Im trying to push away encroaching diabetes, high cholesterol and of course high bp,.,.Ive got the last of my cats [sooty -16 yrs]on 2 insulin shots a day and a 52 year old cockatoo with an insanity streak..+ 2 pink and grey galahs in the garage..,I am the president of 'The Claremont Flower Show Group', which organises 2 'major' shows a year in Australia, one in 2 weeks away, with daffodils and one in January with Liliums,.,feel free to look at our website,.Im finding it harder each year to do things with arthritis and carpal tunnel in hands and arms-anyway, here for a good time and enjoying most of it

Bella is similar vest on service dog with serious focus except when I give her permission to greet someone while we are at the mall. Other times she is allowed to greet people is at the vets, when they are in service such as medical, fire, rescue, police, or similar. She has a strong prey mode which usually is more of wanting to run, chase, and play, however many people do not understand her actions and with her breed it is a challenge to get people to trealize that all APBTs aren't the same. Even the fighting or bate dogs who survive have been successfully placed in homes with young children and have had wonderful lives with the families. Bella has two jobs actually, one is to help me and the other is an an ambassador for the breed. Many people do not know that this breed was once called the nanny dog because it was used to watch over small children. When given a chance they are very people oriented and friendly. With proper rules and training they can be taught to control their hunting drives and learn to leave other animals alone. Ripley, my hybred cat and Bella often play together. It's funny to watch Ribley chase Bella around and bat at her and then she will chase Ripley and they it changes again. Ripley is chasing Bella aGAIN. And sometimes Orchid tried to get in on the action, but she perfers to watch and enjoy the show.

Holly my CAG had decided recently to fly into my plants so I'll have to make some changes. I know she enjoys them however using them as a purch is a bit much especially when she is in the cactus and succulents. As long as she doesn't grow roots, it's not that bad. Lst night Bella didn't try to chase Holly. This is a first triumph! I've been working with her not to chase the birds.

A while Bella found a squeaky toy which was a surprise because as far as I knew she couldn't get to any of them. The short version of this is she went past me and started to turn around. I approached asking her whhere did you find a squeaky toy at which point she dropped it in front of me and it started moving towards me. The squeek I heard was Bonnie. Apparently Bella was bringing Bonnie to me because Bella knew Bonnie had flown off her cage and was looking for me. Since this event I've been extra careful to make certain the cage doors are securely latched so there is no accidents.

I'll have to upload pics of my animal and plant family soon. Hopefully I'll be able to do this sometime during the week.

I wish everyone a marvelous day with safe travels and many blessings.

Pound puppy Rocky belonging to my boss' younger daughter. 1/2 Pitt and the sweetest, happiest dog imaginable.